Tottenham plans for James Maddison under the scanner following summer squad injection

German football expert makes claim on future prospects of Xavi Simons and James Maddison

Maddison was one of Tottenham’s best players in an otherwise torrid Premier League campaign last term. The England international played a crucial role in the club’s Europa League success, unfortunately, he sustained a knee injury a couple of weeks before the final against Manchester United.

After undergoing surgery, the 28-year-old only managed to return in the midst of the pre-season tour earlier this summer. Once again, he suffered a knee injury, but this time a graver one. Maddison sustained an ACL injury against Newcastle United in a pre-season fixture at the start of August, ruling him out for the foreseeable future. And to fill Maddison’s big void, Spurs have brought in Simons.

Now, German football expert and broadcaster Raphael Honigstein has given his verdict on Simons’ signing and what impact it could have on the future of Maddison at the club when he returns from injury next year.

“I think this has to be looked in at independently,” Raphael Honigstein told An Echo of Glory Podcast.

“I think Spurs were in the market for a player who would either compliment or eventually supplant Maddison in that role because I think you could see Madison last year had huge impact when he was on the pitch but probably not quite able to deliver physically every three days.

“So, I think Spurs independently of his injury were looking for somebody who could at least share some of the burden if not take over from him in in a year’s time.”

Simons could become Maddison’s successor at Tottenham

Simons has revealed that he wants to play in the No.10 role for Tottenham after signing in the final week of the transfer window. The No.10 has been Maddison’s natural position at Spurs, acting as a creative force and connecting the midfield with attack. However, his persistent injuries have become an issue at Spurs, and the latest one is expected to cost him a place in next year’s World Cup.

On the contrary, Simons is a young, exciting and dynamic playmaker who has proven himself in the Bundesliga and now wants to show his talent in the Premier League. The Netherlands international possesses the potential to become Maddison’s successor at White Hart Lane, and with the No.7 on his back, he immediately has to fill the big boost of club legend Son Heung-min.